Treaty Oak Waterloo Antique Gin

This is potent. It's hard to enjoy a fine single malt when you're constantly sweating. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to consume spirits, leading me to this interesting bottle. While aged gin isn't novel, this one offers a Texas perspective and I personally consider it one of the state's finest spirit selections. Treaty Oak Distillery, located in Dripping Springs, TX, roughly thirty minutes west of Austin in the scenic Texas hill country, produces Waterloo Gin. This area is primarily recognized for its vineyards and some breweries, and it's also the birthplace of President Lyndon Johnson. It also hosts several distilleries, including Andalusia, Milam & Greene, and perhaps most notably, Garrison Brothers. Treaty Oak occupies a vast property featuring live music, smoked meats, excellent brunch, and regrettably, they produce subpar whiskey. However, the atmosphere is enjoyable and makes for a fun weekend excursion with my wife, and their gin is exceptional. Now, regarding the bottle itself. Waterloo was the original designation for the settlement that eventually became Austin. This particular bottle is apparently a tribute to how spirits were historically transported across the frontier in earlier times. Their foundational gin is pleasant and agreeable, but the two years spent aging in barrels under the Texas sun impart something remarkable to it. The glass reveals a color darker than many bourbons, with a subtle purple/orange tint. The aroma is potent and distinctive: standard gin botanicals are present, but they are intertwined with prominent notes of blueberry, lavender, vanilla, and a balanced oak presence. These flavors carry through to the palate, where the barrel influence is truly evident, leading to a gratifying conclusion at 47% ABV. A remarkably impressive gin from a producer of mediocre whiskey. It pairs exceptionally well with ginger beer or fruit juices (I favor limeade or pineapple juice). It serves as a solid substitute in an old fashioned (try it with Demerara sugar and orange bitters. You'll thank me later). It does not pair as well with tonic. The barrel's influence overwhelms the tonic. Distribution is expanding for this spirit. It typically costs around $30 and could be a worthwhile alternative spirit to enhance your collection. Enjoy your tasting.

This spirit was the highlight of our distillery tour, possibly the first gin I've had that was better than whiskey. I've never encountered anything like it. It's vastly different from typical London Dry, offering abundant honeysuckle, lavender, and rosemary on the aroma that carries through to the taste. It was excellent served neat and in a sparkling cocktail. I can also picture it making a fantastic old fashioned with orange or cardamom bitters, a Demerara sugar cube, and a blood orange slice, finished with a splash of Topo Chico (because Texas). I'll certainly look for a bottle at $30, and you should too. Cheers!

This is one of my regular gins (though I might be a bit partial since I reside close to the distillery). It does indeed drink almost like a whiskey. Very smooth, and excellent served on the rocks. I do enjoy it with tonic water, but it's VERY different from your typical gin and tonic. I'm not a major fan of juniper-forward gin, and it's barely perceptible here (a significant advantage for me). Cheers.

Powerful, stunning aroma of lavender, honey, chamomile, caramel, thyme, cola, mint, cinnamon, vanilla, wood, and grapes. Herbal, spicy, woody flavor profile featuring thyme, cinnamon, tree bark, and mint. It's smooth on the palate. The bottle is also beautiful, if that matters.

Complex for its profile, with a subtle kick. Fantastic in a variation of the Old Fashioned!!!

This is distinctive. It has a lot of complexity.